Ascent of McCullough Mountain on 1995-10-27

Ascent Trip Report

To reach the northwest trailhead from Interstate 15 take the Jean exit which is 12.6 miles north of the California-Nevada border. At the exit reset your odometer and proceed south. After 0.15 miles turn right and then at 0.3 miles turn left on a good paved road toward the state prison. At 0.9 miles, just after crossing a railroad track, turn right and take the right fork of the dirt road and proceed southwest. Stay on this road which will bend toward the southeast at 4.5 miles, go under power lines at 6.3 miles, and then parallel a single wood-pole power line. At 10.1 miles turn left at a junction by an abandoned tank and then turn right at 10.4 miles onto a sandy road that will require 4wd. If you have some difficulty in the soft sand it is best to let some air out of the tires for better flotation. Follow this wavy route used for motorcycle races until your odometer shows about 15.4 miles at which time look for a track on the left heading east. This track is about 100 yards BEFORE a corral, so if you reach the corral you have gone too far. Follow this poor road northeast for about 3.6 miles to a cabin near Railroad Spring. UTM here is 662860E, 3941360N, (NAD27). Park and start the hike from here heading southeast up a ridge and then turn generally east past a bump at 6240 feet and continue on to the summit. The hike is about 1.5 miles to the top with an elevation gain of 1800 feet. 5/99 RLC & SH